Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 25 (1910 - 1915)

Lt 21, 1910

Butler, Brother and Sister [G. I.]

“Elmshaven,” St. Helena, California

February 16, 1910

Previously unpublished.

Lodi Meeting and School

Dear Brother Butler and Wife, whom I respect in the Lord:

I have read your letter. Thank you for writing. We have had strength to attend both the conferences in Mountain View and Lodi. These were important meetings to which I was called out to bear my testimony. The Lord sustained me in a remarkable manner. The weather was extremely cold, but nevertheless I stood before the people and spoke to a crowded house. I feel no weakness of age when on my feet addressing the people. 25LtMs, Lt 21, 1910, par. 1

I spoke at Mountain View four times. The Lord gave me matters which they needed to have. There is constant danger in grouping together in large companies, and this deprives other needy sections of the light they should have. Why cannot our people understand that the lamp must be placed where other parties can see and understand and be benefited with the light? 25LtMs, Lt 21, 1910, par. 2

I am unable to sleep but a small portion of the night. I am giving the message the Lord has given me, that we must draw nigh to follow the light given of God. “Speak the words I shall give thee.” This I try to do. 25LtMs, Lt 21, 1910, par. 3

I spoke all of one hour four times both in Mountain View and at Lodi. The latter place was crowded, but a fire was kept up in the stove. I think the people cannot take in the precious things contained in the message the Lord gives me. Human nature cannot endure the intense cold in the open air; but when all their garments and outside clothing are on, the fire should not be kept in the stove. The Lord gave special messages. I had perfect freedom, and the Lord did give me His Holy Spirit both in Mountain View and Lodi. 25LtMs, Lt 21, 1910, par. 4

The school subject was the difficulty—how to manage so large a number as at Lodi. I have written out some things upon this point, which I will place in print. At Lodi I asked those who had listened to the appeal under the influence of the Spirit of the Lord if they would consider that the Lord was speaking His message to them individually through His humble servant. Here was a large school to be carried. Would they, in most earnest prayer and determined effort, seek the Lord day after day? The Lord would certainly work with them, if students and the principle of the school would devote themselves to the Lord. 25LtMs, Lt 21, 1910, par. 5

Parents in no case should neglect to act their part interestedly in their homes, to learn of the Lord Jesus and act in concert with Christ in their home life. In educating their children to be obedient and submissive, they can help the teacher who has so large a number. And if those who act as teachers, especially the preceptor, know that they have the parents helping the scholars to become students of Jesus Christ, the Lodi school will have the watchcare of angels and the preceptor can enjoy his work as instructor to the students. Let all, both teachers and students, come up to the help of all the parties united in the Lodi school. The preceptor and the under teachers, all acting as if chosen of God and under His guidance, can be a great help and a blessing to each other. 25LtMs, Lt 21, 1910, par. 6

Trials and difficulties will arise; but if you all consider that the Head Teacher and Manager, Jesus Christ, who gave His life, is in every school that is taught, that you are doing your work in His sight, and that He is taking account of the preceptor and every helper, all will be united in excellence of behavior to gain a precious experience in the preparation for the school above. They will now have their opportunity to consider whether they will be prepared to graduate to the higher school in the heavenly city in the courts above. There Christ will walk with those who have formed perfect characters and lead them and teach them and guide them where there will be no tempting devil, but where all is without a taint of sin. 25LtMs, Lt 21, 1910, par. 7

I must come back to speak again of the school at Lodi. In the night season instruction had been given me that the Lord Jesus will help every soul who is striving to perfect a Christian character. I asked all of that crowded company if they would renew their covenant to work in unity with the teachers for their souls’ interest, to make special efforts to obtain victories daily. We are to overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. I asked parents, teachers, and children to rise to their feet. I think all did rise up. I feel deeply for that large school at Lodi. We hope that standing pledge to serve the Lord will be kept. We closed that meeting with prayer. I felt that the Lord Jesus was in the assembly. It seemed to me that Christ was close by my side. This was the last time I spoke to them. 25LtMs, Lt 21, 1910, par. 8

I was taken in the automobile to the place where I had been welcomed to remain during the meeting. I felt that my duty was done. But I had a message to give to the instructor standing at the head of the school. I have words I must write to him to guard himself zealously and not be deprived, neither deprive students, of the pure air in the schoolroom, for to do so is dangerous business. We must have pure air to breathe and put on wraps if necessary. How much longer I must carry this catarrhal difficulty, I know not. 25LtMs, Lt 21, 1910, par. 9

I have been instructed that Lodi needs the special strength that cometh from above. All need the Lord Jesus Christ to be their Helper. Teachers and students are all to unite in a decided, special effort to make this a model school. Parents in the home need to consider that while in this life they are to be members of Christ’s school, in one school with their children. With their children they are now, just now, to give themselves unreservedly to God, to make in the home life a record far exceeding anything they have done in the past, that they may stand faultless before God, because no sin is upon the soul, no defects in the character. Let it be your lifework to overcome, for all who shall enter the heavenly courts above are to have not a spot and not a wrinkle upon the character. 25LtMs, Lt 21, 1910, par. 10

I wish all parents could understand this as it was presented to me. Time is altogether too short to give our attention to worldly enterprise to the neglect of the heavenly. Special instruction was given to me that if we are to have a home in the heavenly courts, our great aim and constant endeavor must be to seek by beholding Christ and studying Him who gave His life for us, to receive the image of His character here below; for Satan will work with determined effort to multiply his temptations to obtain the victory. All these things are kept before me to give to every church I shall visit. 25LtMs, Lt 21, 1910, par. 11

That night I had presented to me that I must instruct the preceptor of the school to be on guard. I was to say to him, Appoint the older and more experienced students, young men and young women, to help the preceptor. The younger students could be benefited by having the older ones appointed as out-of-door sentinels who, without abruptness, and in a manner not to create opposition, would remind them that no coarse, rough manners will be allowed in their association with each other out of school. Let certain ones kindly remind them that the Lord is looking down and beholding their words and their actions; and that they are having the privilege of preparing for the transfer to that heavenly school above if they will learn the ways of the Lord in this lower school. Let these monitors maintain a gentle and persuasive manner, and this will take a great burden from the teacher. After a reasonable time, let the monitors have relief; and let others take their places to see that no indecorous behavior or actions shall dishonor the reputation of the school. These out-of-door monitors must have wisdom to know how to manage, that the preceptor may know that he may be relieved. This will be a help to the younger class as well as the head teachers. All will be striving to be overcomers. This arrangement, if wisely conducted, will take a great burden from the preceptor. 25LtMs, Lt 21, 1910, par. 12

Now I shall present to all schools this instruction: The first chapter of Second Peter, verses 1-13. Here is your eternal life insurance policy. All who practice these things, who study the words I present, shall have the eternal life insurance policy fulfilled in their life character here below and have their entrance into the kingdom of God. Our schools must come up on the highest grade possible, and the children must be educated to correct behavior. Let this be practiced in every school. 25LtMs, Lt 21, 1910, par. 13

I thank the Lord I was enabled to bear the hard strain upon me at Mountain View. Then the cold weather coming on, with the overheating of the church, and the impure atmosphere I was compelled to breathe and take into my lungs has created for me a serious time of catarrhal difficulty. I have not yet recovered. The many breaths poisoned the atmosphere for me, and ever since I have had the affliction of catarrhal difficulty that I have not had for years. I write these particulars, that you may all understand that the atmosphere, poisoned with the many breaths, had unfitted me to speak, except once last Sabbath; and I found it more difficult than common, for I was weak and could not speak as I usually do. I write this that you will not, in any place, allow such a thing to imperil life. 25LtMs, Lt 21, 1910, par. 14